What To Do At A Party

What to do at a party

“The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you.” 
― Frederick Buechner

How have you been? It’s been a busy couple of weeks but I so wanted to say hello and touch base.

I have been blessed with lots of activity. My sister Mary visited from North Carolina and my cousin Christina is here with her daughter Arial. A beautiful reception to coordinate was dropped in my lap and two more weddings to oversee have magically appeared as well. God is truly keeping his eye out for me.

One of the summer events I had the privilege to attend was a memorial picnic in honor of a young woman who passed away five years ago. Her children were there as were many others to remember and cherish the beautiful person that Mandy was. It was while I was there that I spied the creative and inspirational poster of sorts that you see above.

Take a moment and notice which activities were already checked off the “What To Do At Party” list. Read books, tell jokes and jump on trampoline were already checked off. I wish I was there for the trampoline part, but then again, maybe not. 🙂 I especially loved make tambourines- wow!

This poster reminded me of what it was like to be a kid all over again. What things did I like to do when I was a child? I loved to color and make creative paper drawings. I loved to listen to music and pretend I was in a band. My friends and I would get together and go bike riding every day. We would definitely drink root beer floats.

In this age of too much, too soon, I think we can sometimes forget the simple things that are good and uncomplicated. A family meal, not elaborate, but eaten together. Time well spent just talking and walking on a trail or on the beach. A chance to get back to ourselves and get quiet.

I’m guessing it was Talulah, Izaya and Willow that made this poster. I have to thank them when I see them next. I really love it.

Blessings to you for a joyous summer! How have you been? What were some of your favorite things to do as a child?

 

It's nice to share. Thank you.

17 Replies to “What To Do At A Party”

  1. It’s been a rough summer so far, but I know it could be so much worse. I am trying to count my blessings, though! The kids are healthy and that is the important thing!
    Things were so different when we were kids! We could get on our bikes and be gone for hours! When I lived in Chicago, from age 5 through 12, we had a shopping center a few blocks away and my friends and I went there a lot! There was a movie theater there that we went to alone. It was no big deal for us! I could not imagine letting my grand kids do the things I did as a kid! Then there was the Aqua Center, where we would go swimming in the summer…I loved going there! In the winter, there were always FEET of snow to play in. I loved being outdoors.

    1. Hi Cathy, Things were certainly different when we were young. I love that you did lots of things like go to the movies and the aqua center. And yes, didn’t the snow seem to be much higher in our youthful memories? 😉
      Hope your situation eases a bit as the summer goes on. I’m sure you have your hands full. xoxo

  2. What a great list! The creators are the event planners of the future! Glad you have two more weddings on your list. When I was young I loved to water the garden with a hose and get very wet in the process. 😀

  3. Making tambourines sounds quite interesting. I’m glad you’re busy with FUN things.

    When I was a child, there was always something to do, even without all the technology of today. And if there WAS ever a ‘boring’ moment, then “make-believe” was always as near as our imagination.

    Blessings for more blessings,
    Marianne xo

    1. We did have great fun without the technology, didn’t we? And we did have our imagination to come up with all kinds of fun things.
      Blessings to you too! xo Joanne

  4. I stopped by for a moment, then all of a sudden I was splashed with Grace.
    You have a gift of the pen, my dear.
    I loved the party planners list.
    I loved to bike in the summer. I loved to play dress up with my sisters.
    I loved to play wedding in my Grandparents dahlia garden. I have a picture, I promise to share. They lived on the beach, so we played on the beach every single day.
    Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
    Hugs, Daleen

  5. When we were young we spent hours pretending we were taking trips to fun places in an RV or a pirate ship or maybe we had a house and all lived together. It varied from week to week what the fantasy was. We were blessed to have a group of wonderful friends on our block to dream away the days with. Thank you for bringing back those beautiful memories. 🙂

    1. Hello Angela! Thank you for sharing your memories! I love the pirate ship idea and my friends and I also played house. It is great to re-live those moments!Blessings to you!

  6. Joanne, what a lovely, touching post. Celebrating the life of a beloved mother with a memorial 5 years after her death is a spiritual addition to the “what to do at a party” list.
    My grandmother celebrated every day as a party she and God had planned together, and that included weddings and funerals, having a neighbor drop by, picking ripe berries, or watching a cat carry its kitten.
    I’m so glad you’ve been chosen to handle the reception and two weddings. Your work is thriving, and those you assist will be richly blessed!

    1. Marylin, I am keeping the faith and have kept in mind what you suggested- that God send me more loving couples who need my assistance! So far it is working and I am so humbled by what is coming my way.
      I love that your grandmother thought every day was a party. Such a good way to look at this life we have been given!
      xo Joanne

  7. I’m trying to order my life around “goodness, simplicity and tranquility,” and, of course “joy.” The joy part is always about children and childhood for me, whether in remembering my own, or my children’s, and now re-experiencing that delightful way of seeing things through my grandchildren’s eyes. I love that “what-to-do-at-a-party” list!

    Did you take that photo?

    My favorite thing to do as a child (well, one of them)–climb the elm tree in our front yard, which had the perfect branch on which to sit and read a book by Maude Hart Lovelace, surrounded by green leaves, sunlight and birdsong. Heavenly.

    1. Hello Tracy Lee, Yes, I did take that photo with what I had handy- my cell phone! 🙂 I love that you are embracing goodness, simplicity and tranquility. I didn’t have a big tree to climb as a child but I love the memory you share of your tree. Beautiful! Thank you for stopping by!

  8. Hi Joanne, I love love love the quote at the beginning! What a fun post. It reminds that simple things make great memories….”the simple pleasures of life!” Congratulations on the 2 weddings you have booked! That is awesome! Happy Sumer!

    1. Hi Cindy!
      I love that quote too- it was perfect for the story!
      I just keep the faith and believe that everything will work out as God plans. Happy Summer to you too!
      xo Joanne

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